Academic Excellence in an Entrepreneurial Environment at UMKC

August 9, 2014

“I love how UMKC made me feel like I belonged. SCE faculty and staff were always encouraging me to keep doing what I loved, and the school offered great tutors to help me along the way.” 

- Gabriella Baptistella, BSMP graduate

 

The University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) is home to more than 16,000 students from 73 countries, including a rising number from Brazil.

 

The university offers excellent instruction for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 125 academic areas. Leading programs include the Henry W. Bloch School of Management and the School of Computing and Engineering. Degrees available include chemistry, biology, physics, and the geosciences. The schools of dentistry, medicine, pharmacy, and nursing and health studies are located on a separate campus known as Hospital Hill.

 

Conditional admission and timely processing of applications help international students make informed and supported decisions. The Applied Language Institute offers intensive English instruction by highly qualified professionals.

 

Once on campus, small class sizes and access to professors help international students make the transition to American-style studies. UMKC goes the extra mile to make sure international students are settled and positioned to thrive at the university. Each year, local families and community members volunteer to welcome international students as they settle into their new homes. Midway through the year, UMKC offers a “reorientation” to answer questions about campus life and resources that may have arisen during the first months of their stay.

 

 “The Midwest is known for its friendliness, and we wear that reputation proudly,” said Sandy Gault, director of international student affairs at UMKC. “Our community is very involved with welcoming students.”

 

Campus-wide cultural enrichment events celebrate diversity, further enhancing the UMKC experience for international students. A popular intramural sports program and numerous leadership opportunities encourage scholastic and personal growth.

 

UMKC is known as one of the “greenest” universities in the United States, and students have access to ergonomically designed study hubs. The university boasts a new USD $9 million soccer stadium, one of the premier soccer facilities in the Midwest.

 

Off campus, the burgeoning metropolis of Kansas City boasts impressive offerings in internships, job training and industry networking. “Local businesses are hungry to work with international students because they are trying to expand their reach, too,” Ms. Gault said.

 

By revenue, Kansas City is the third-largest engineering hub in the United States, as well as home base for a variety of startup companies. It has been called the most entrepreneurial city in America and is ranked as one of the five best U.S. cities in which to live. While Kansas City has a growing economy, it is important to note its low cost of living and affordability for students.

 

“Students fall in love with Kansas City,” Ms. Gault said. “From the first week’s welcome picnic to the stories we hear year after year, international students – particularly our Brazilian students – feel very welcome here.”

 

The International Academic Programs (IAP) office is responsible for international education and programming at UMKC. Our goal is to support students, both domestic and international, in understanding the diverse and global nature of business, politics, industry, research, environment and health.

 

Our office manages all study abroad programs for domestic and international students.

As such, IAP plays an important role in supporting academic units that bring STEM students to the UMKC campus for short-term and full degree programs. IAP staff members oversee applications from study abroad applicants, welcome incoming international students, help them get established on campus, and provide support during their stay.

 

Study abroad students at UMKC live on campus and are fully engaged in academic, social and community activities. Campus clubs and student groups with a STEM focus welcome international students and provide opportunities to expand their education beyond the classroom to the campus and the community. 

 

In recent years, STEM students at UMKC have realized that studying abroad is an important way to prepare for careers that have international commitments. They are eager to spend time in countries where STEM education and initiatives are a priority.

Research and learning in an engineering lab at UMKC